Honk News (Abilene, TX) – A man has been formally charged in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a woman following a beer-drinking encounter in the parking lot of an Abilene church.
On Thursday, Valente Erik Cano faced an indictment for one count of Aggravated Sexual Assault related to the allegations.
Legal filings reveal that a victim was reached out to at Hendrick Medical Centre following her report of a rape incident in July 2024.
A woman reported to authorities that while she was strolling along the street, a man, later recognized as Cano, approached her with an offer to purchase beer and share a drink together, as stated in the documents.
Following Cano’s acquisition of beer from a local store, reports indicate that they proceeded to a church parking lot. When the victim attempted to depart after 45 minutes, Cano is accused of forcibly restraining her, committing rape, and stealing her phone and money.
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Footage captured Cano purchasing the beer, and church officials verified its discovery in their parking lot.
The documents reveal that the victim’s DNA evidence closely matched that of Cano.
Cano is currently in custody at the Taylor County Jail, with bonds amounting to $60,000.